Don't worry, this isn't another story about the Radiohead "Pay What You Want" phenomenon of 2007. The New York Times is running a really cool story today about free places around the city to check out quality tunes. "Cheap Seats - Live Rock On A Small Bankroll" gives a few tidbits into some of the city's most treasured freebies, including my favorites Cross Pollination at Pianos on Tuesdays and the Rockwood Music Hall. It looks like in the end, you may be doing a favor by not paying for a ticket. And from past experience, you'll always get more people out to a gig with the absence of a cover charge.

“It just makes more economic sense,” said [Jay] Goettelmann, a St. Louis transplant. “It’s better for the audience. The artists frequently make more money in the tip jar than they would after the venue has taken a cut, and we’ve taken a cut. We frequently make more with our percentage off the bar than we would after we take our cut off a ticket. And the bar is making more off the bar.”

I'm not sure about you, but this city sure gets expensive. And while I pack my bagged lunches every day and avoid taking cabs, there's nothing I hate more than hiding away in my apartment knowing this city is buzzing a matter of steps away. Take a gander at what it has to offer. Who knows? You may be surprised -- and saving some money at the very same time.